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Eumaeus In The Odyssey

Decent Essays

One might ask for what purpose does Homer use the second person. However, Homer refers to Eumaeus with “you.” For example, Home first used the second person to introduce Eumaeus’ reply— “And you replied, Eumaeus, loyal swineherd…”(14.313). Again in line 502, Homer introduces Eumaeus in the second person. Throughout The Odyssey, everything is written in the third person. The second person voice, however, is much more personal— it is almost as if Homer is directly addressing the audience— not just through the art of storytelling, but through a personal calling upon of the reader. This reader is located not on the battlefield, but in the home— in the realm of Eumaeus. The second person almost makes parts of the chapter conversational, as if Homer …show more content…

It is true that Eumaeus takes up the sword to protect his master’s wealth, but he also (albeit grudgingly) sends away the fastest of the swine to be slaughtered for the suitors’ feasts. He we can observe two conflicting domestic interests— the desire to be a good host, and the desire to be a good servant. Both belong in the domestic realm, and both require attention. It would seem that, by offering the suitors the fattened pigs for consumption, Eumaeus was indulging hospitality over domestic protection, which would make us question his strength as a hero of the hearth. Eumaeus does not fully protect the herds from the hungry maws of suitors; however, this lack of protection does allow for readers to gather a glimpse at Eumaeus’ almost righteous indignation. Eumaeus describes the suitors as, “...brazen rascals [who] never spare a scrap” (14.107). He also goes so far as to state that the suitors are not loved by the gods, as they (the suitors) lack justice and decency (97). These virtues are essential to the home— essential to domestic peace and tranquility. Eumaeus is pushed to tolerate the indecency of the suitors, and thus unwillingly accept domestic upheaval. Through his outrage at forced hospitality, Eumaeus sheds even more light on his desire to protect his master’s belongings. He deeply desires it, but cannot fully attain

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